Comparison of bone mineral density between male masters runners and cyclists

Click on the link to access this abstract at the publisher's website.For maintenance of bone mass during adulthood, it is commonly recommended to participate in relatively high level weight-bearing exercise. Weight-bearing exercise includes aerobic activities such as jogging or activities that produce high ground reaction forces such as jumping. Cycling is a popular form of aerobic exercise for older adults due to the reduced impact on the weight-bearing joints. However, due to the unloaded nature of cycling, some data suggest that bone mineral density at clinically important sites is reduced in cyclists. PURPOSE: To compare areal bone mineral density (aBMD) of the lumbar spine and non-dominant proximal femur between male masters runners and male masters cyclists. METHODS: Eight male masters runners (mean ± SD, age: 58.9 ± 4.4 yrs, height: 175.3 ± 6.9 cm, weight: 75.1 ± 14.3 kg) and eight male masters cyclists (mean ± SD, age: 63.8 ± 5.9 yrs, height: 176.8 ± 5.8 cm, weight: 76.8 ± 8.3 kg) underwent a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan for assessment of aBMD of the non-dominant proximal femur (total hip and femoral neck) and lumbar spine (L1-L4) as well as percent body fat (%BF), and bone free lean body mass (BFLM). Data were analyzed using Independent Samples t-tests with an alpha level of 0.05. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in age, height, or weight between groups. Compared to masters cyclists, masters runners did not show any significant differences in %BF (16.8 ± 3.6 vs. 16.0 ± 3.3%, p=0.679), BFLM(59.1 ± 9.1 vs. 61.2 ± 7.6, p=0.618), lumbar spine aBMD (1.041 ± 0.130 vs. 0.991 ± 0.062, p=0.346), total hip aBMD (0.989 ± 0.152 vs. 0.917 ± 0.079, p=0.257), or femoral neck aBMD (0.816 ± 0.111 vs. 0.730 ± 0.074, p=0.090). CONCLUSION: Our preliminary findings suggest that male masters cyclists and runners do not differ in aBMD. However, our current findings are likely influenced by the small sample size which will be addressed in the near future

Effect of caffeine on golf performance and fatigue during a competitive tournament

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of a caffeine-containing supplement on golf-specific performance and fatigue during a 36-hole competitive golf tournament. Methods: Twelve male golfers (34.8 ± 13.9 yr, 175.9 ± 9.3 cm, 81.23 ± 13.14 kg) with a United States Golf Association handicap of 3–10 participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design in which they played an 18-hole round of golf on two consecutive days (36-hole tournament) and were randomly assigned to consume a caffeine-containing supplement (CAF) or placebo (PLA). CAF/PLA was consumed before and after nine holes during each 18-hole round. Total score, drive distance, fairways and greens in regulation, first putt distance, HR, breathing rate, peak trunk acceleration, and trunk posture while putting were recorded. Self-perceived ratings of energy, fatigue, alertness and concentration were also recorded.Results: Total score (76.9 ± 8.1 vs 79.4 ± 9.1, P = 0.039), greens in regulation (8.6 ± 3.3 vs 6.9 ± 4.6, P = 0.035), and drive distance (239.9 ± 33.8 vs 233.2 ± 32.4, P = 0.047) were statistically better during the CAF condition compared with those during PLA. Statistically significant main effects for condition (P 0.05).Conclusions: A moderate dose (1.9 ± 0.3 mg·kg−1) of caffeine consumed before and during a round of golf improves golf-specific measures of performance and reduces fatigue in skilled golfers

Effect of caffeine on golf performance and fatigue during a competitive tournament

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the effect of a caffeine-containing supplement on golf-specific performance and fatigue during a 36-hole competitive golf tournament. Methods: Twelve male golfers (34.8 ± 13.9 yr, 175.9 ± 9.3 cm, 81.23 ± 13.14 kg) with a United States Golf Association handicap of 3–10 participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover design in which they played an 18-hole round of golf on two consecutive days (36-hole tournament) and were randomly assigned to consume a caffeine-containing supplement (CAF) or placebo (PLA). CAF/PLA was consumed before and after nine holes during each 18-hole round. Total score, drive distance, fairways and greens in regulation, first putt distance, HR, breathing rate, peak trunk acceleration, and trunk posture while putting were recorded. Self-perceived ratings of energy, fatigue, alertness and concentration were also recorded.Results: Total score (76.9 ± 8.1 vs 79.4 ± 9.1, P = 0.039), greens in regulation (8.6 ± 3.3 vs 6.9 ± 4.6, P = 0.035), and drive distance (239.9 ± 33.8 vs 233.2 ± 32.4, P = 0.047) were statistically better during the CAF condition compared with those during PLA. Statistically significant main effects for condition (P 0.05).Conclusions: A moderate dose (1.9 ± 0.3 mg·kg−1) of caffeine consumed before and during a round of golf improves golf-specific measures of performance and reduces fatigue in skilled golfers

Efficacy of a nootropic spearmint extract on reactive agility: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial

Abstract Background Proprietary spearmint extract (PSE) containing a minimum 14.5% rosmarinic acid and 24% total phenolic content, has evinced positive effects on cognition in individuals aged 50–70 with memory impairment after chronic supplementation. To address the growing interest in connecting mental and physical performance, the present study examined whether the nootropic effects of PSE translate into changes in reactive agility following daily supplementation with PSE. Methods Utilizing a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design, healthy, recreationally-active men and women (n = 142) received 900 mg of PSE or placebo (PLA) daily for 90 days. Reactive agility, our primary outcome, was determined by measuring the number of hits and average reaction time (ART) on a Makoto Arena II, a 3600 audio-visual device that measures stationary, lateral, and multi-directional active choice reaction performance. Safety was evaluated using complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and blood lipids. Measurements were evaluated on days 7, 30, and 90 of supplementation. Results An overall treatment effect (p = 0.019) was evident for increased hits with PSE on the stationary test with footplates, with between group differences at Day 30 (PSE vs. PLA: 28.96 ± 2.08 vs. 28.09 ± 1.92 hits; p = 0.040) and Day 90 (PSE vs. PLA: 28.42 ± 2.54 vs. 27.02 ± 3.55 hits; p = 0.002). On the same task, ART improved (treatment effect, p = 0.036) with PSE at Day 7 (PSE vs. PLA: 0.5896 ± 0.060 vs. 0.6141 ± 0.073 s; p = 0.049) and Day 30 (PSE vs. PLA: 0.5811 ± 0.068 vs. 0.6033 ± 0.055 s; p = 0.049). PSE also significantly increased hits (treatment effect, p = 0.020) at Day 30 (PSE vs. PLA: 19.25 ± 1.84 vs. 18.45 ± 1.48 hits; p = 0.007) and Day 90 (PSE vs. PLA: 19.39 ± 1.90 vs. 18.66 ± 1.64 hits; p = 0.026) for the multi-directional test with footplates. Significant differences were not observed in the remaining Makoto tests. PSE was well tolerated as evidenced by no effects observed in the blood safety panels. Conclusions The findings of the current study demonstrate that consumption of 900 mg of PSE improved specific measures of reactive agility in a young, active population. Trial registration clinicaltrials.gov, NCT02518165. Registered August 7, 2015 – retrospectively registered